Harry Morgan

These slides were part of a Webinar introducing an online course, offered by ITTI, certified by PESI for six CEUs, and taught by me entitled, "Civilian Clinicians Counseling Military Veterans." For more information in this course go to: https://traumaonline.net/

Genesis 30 describes how God uses circumstances and people in our lives to mold us and mature us. Often, God uses conflict. Certainly, this was the case for Jacob and his family. Jacob was a deceiver, a liar and a manipulator. God used his uncle Laban, who was also a deceiver, liar and manipulator to provoke change in Jacob. Conflict between two sisters, Rachel and Leah, Jacob's wives, Leah and Rachel, mirrored his relationship with his brother, Esau. God wasn't just working in the heart of Jacob. He was using the family dynamics to mold and mature each member of this family. He does the same with us today.

God teaches each of us using sometimes intensely painful circumstances to inculcate profound and powerful lessons. Such was the case with Jacob, the deceiver, who spent 20 years with his uncle Laban being on the receiving end of deceitfulness. Everyone, Jacob and Laban, Leah and Rachel, and Zilpah and Bilhah learn life's lessons in God's classroom, known as Genesis 29.

Traditional Jewish and Christian weddings are based on the Bible and picture God's relationship with His people, the nation of Israel and the Church.

Jacob was in exile, in the process of fleeing from his vengeful brother. After 3 days into his 517 mile journey to Syria, he stops at a seemingly insignificant place to rest for the night. The dream he had that night was an unforgettable revelation from God, an amazing description of the coming Messiah. There are many details in this account that apply to us, both as Christian believers and as non-believers.

Everyone in this chapter sins. Isaac is physically blind, but worse he is blind to the will of God. Esau has sold his birthright and seeks revenge when his brother steals the blessing. Rebekah, knowing the God has decreed Jacob to be blessed, uses her own cunning to accomplish God's purpose. Jacob, is willingly and knowingly complicit in expediting his mother's scheme, supplanting his brother and grasping his father's blessing. Yet, in spite of all this, God's sovereign purpose is fulfilled. Man's sin neither thwarts nor obviates divine providence!

What is the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Why is proclaiming the Gospel of Christ necessary? What are some reactions you have had when you shared the Gospel? Why do many people react negatively to the Gospel of Christ? (John 6:60-66; Mark 6:1-6)

This study addresses several very difficult problems in interpreting this passage: What was the sin of Ham? Why was Canaan judged for Ham's sin? What is meant by the curse on Canaan, that he will be "a servant of servants to his brethren"? What are the blessings of the other two brothers? What does the text mean that "Japheth will dwell in the tents of Shem"?

How is Genesis 10 unique in ancient literature? Why is genealogy important? What relevance does this chapter have for us today?

The Tower of Babel, in rebellion to God, was man's attempt to determine his own destiny. God had revealed His plan of redemption through the Mazzaroth, His heavenly mnemonic. Man's perversion became the Zodiac.

Abram, at the age of 75, is called by God to leave the Ur of Chaldea to an undisclosed destination. He is called to trust God, to an intimate covenant relationship with God and to a three-fold promise.

An expositional study of Genesis 12:10-20. Abram scheme is foiled; Pharaoh rebuked Abram and God protected and blessed Abram and Sarai despite their unbelief.

An exposition of Genesis 12:6-13. What happened at Shechem and Bethel that prepared Abram for the trial of severe famine? How does Abram's experience practically help you in times of trial? Why did he go to Egypt? Did he lie about Sarai? Is lying always wrong? Explain. Where did Abram go after Egypt?

An expositional study of Genesis 12:14-13:18, describing the time Abram left Egypt until he returned to Hebron.

An exposition of Genesis 14 and exploration of the first recorded war in the Bible, the mysterious Melchizedek and Abram's growth in faith.

Most of the Mid-Eastern populations are the descendants of Abraham. In Genesis 25 Abraham marries again, following the death of Sarah, has 6 more sons by Keturah, added to Ishmael, the son of Hagar, and Isaac, the son of Sarah. Today's Mid-Eastern drama has its antecedents in this chapter.

Genesis 15 portrays an incredible picture of God's unilateral, unconditional faithfulness and promise to Abram, reiterating what He declared earlier in Genesis 12:1-3. What was the sign of His covenant? How did the sign of the covenant show His holiness and certainty in the promise God made? How does this chapter apply to you?

Genesis 16 recounts the impatience of Abram and Sarah and the tragic consequences all of us experience when we fail to wait on the Lord.

This chapter begins with a new revelation of God as El Shaddai to Abram, and continues with God changing Abram's name to Abraham and Sarai's name to Sarah. What relevance do these names have for us today? The chapter closes with God's decree that His Covenant to Abraham will be fulfilled through Isaac and not Ishmael. Understanding this chapter is critical in rightly understanding biblical eschatology, prophecy in general and the conflicts in the MidEast.

Genesis 18 begins with an announcement of God's blessing and the conception of Isaac. This chapter closes with an announcement of God's judgment and Abraham's intercession for the righteous affected by the judgment.

Genesis 19 describes God's judgment on Sodom, Gomorrah and other flourishing cities in the plain. This is the final chapter of Lot's life, a sad and tragic story of a man who was Abraham's nephew and who Peter later describes as a "righteous man." This chapter is a shrill warning to all.

God's amazing grace and mercy are profoundly evidenced in this account of Abraham and Sarah, who deceived a pagan king, just after they were promised by God the miraculous birth of Isaac. Their deception, unwittingly perhaps to Abraham and Sarah but clearly a scheme of Satan, threatened the fulfillment of God's promise. However, God providentially thwarted Satan's scheme and Isaac was born as God decreed.

Abraham's walk of faith provides invaluable practical lessons to every believer: the cost, the obstacles, the ups and downs, the rewards, and , most importantly, the object of faith. This chapter is a must read and study for every believer.

Among the many chapters in the Bible Genesis 22 stands out among the most significant, personal and poignant. As a vivid picture of substitutionary atonement, the event of Abraham's offering his son, portends the Father's offering of His Son, Jesus, on the cross.